Hanoi (VNA) - A government leader has called upon the Luxembourg Government to lend its support in boosting Vietnam ’s relations with the European Union (EU) and lobbying the European Commission (EC) for the lifting of anti-dumping tariffs levied on Vietnamese leather-capped shoes.

The deputy PM affirmed that Vietnam is backing Luxembourg ’s candidacy for the post of non-permanent member at the UN Security Council for the 2013-2014 term, and proposed that European country advocate Vietnam ’s bid for a seat at the UNESCO Executive Council for the 2009-2013 tenure.

Khiem thanked the Luxembourg Government and its people for their provision of official development assistance (ODA), and expressed his hope that the two countries would coordinate to effectively utilise this capital source for projects related to health care, tourism, banking, finance, education and training.

He hailed Luxembourg ’s position as the 4th - largest EU investor in Vietnam , with 15 projects worth more than 800 million USD, and suggested that the two nations establish concrete measures to further promote their investment and trade ties in the years to come.

The two deputy PMs briefed each other on the political and socio-economic situation in their respective countries, as well as the extent of the impact of the global financial crisis.

Both host and guest expressed their delight at recent developments in bilateral relations, with the regular exchange of high-ranking visits, including the trips by Vietnamese PM Phan Van Khai in 2002, Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker in 2000 and, particularly, the impending State visit by Grand Duke Henri in February 2009.

The deputy PMs discussed a wide range of measures to beef up cooperation in the fields of banking, finance, telecoms, construction, trade, investment, health care, tourism, culture, education and training.

Having spoken highly of Vietnam ’s achievements in socio-economic development, poverty reduction, foreign affairs and international integration, Asselborn pledged that the Luxembourg Government would continue to support Vietnam in its renewal process and in improving its relations with the EU and its members.

The Government of Luxembourg will also create favourable conditions for local businesses in order to stimulate trade and investment activities in Vietnam , he said.

On the same day, Deputy PM Asselborn was received by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, who appreciated Luxembourg ’s position in Europe and said that the two countries possess potential for further cooperation in areas such as the economy and two-way trade.

The legislative leader suggested that Vietnam and Luxembourg work together to increase exchanges of personnel and strengthen cooperative ties between their legislative bodies, along with expanding their economic, commercial and investment links.

Asselborn said that the two nations have, in the past, cooperated closely in a variety of fields, noting that Vietnam ’s is one of only 10 countries around the world to have received ODA from Luxembourg .

As well as training and health care, Luxembourg and Vietnam are able to cooperate effectively in steel production and the aviation industry, he added.